A Review On Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris is an American comedy-drama web television series created by Darren Star that premiered on the 2nd of October 2020, on Netflix. The show follows the adventures of Chicago native Emily , who moves to Paris on a one-year placement with a French marketing agency as a last-minute replacement after her boss falls pregnant. She is tasked with advising the French firm on their social media strategy but finds that they are not receptive to her input. In Paris, she struggles to achieve success in her new workplace while searching for love and experiencing a clash with Parisian culture.

But it’s more a fantasy version of Paris. Parisian people are not like the people depicted in this show as they would never act like that towards a foreigner. Here is a list of the clichés and stereotypes of Parisian people that are depicted in this series.

1. The Chambre de Bonne

Sorry to say but Emily’s Parisian apartment is not, as portrayed, a maid’s room. A Chambre de bonne is a type of French apartment consisting of a single room in a middle-class house or apartment building. It is generally found on the top floor and only accessible by a staircase. The rooms usually have a surface area of around 6–12 square meters and they tend to offer minimal facilities.

Emily’s Parisian apartment seems to be a nice 40 square meters flat, with a separate bedroom and living space. Located in the chic neighborhood a stone’s throw from the Panthéon, this type of flat in Paris can cost at least 1,700 euros per month.

2. Parisians Are Mean

No, Parisians are not mean and they would never act like that towards a foreigner. Parisians are just very honest as they always say what they think, which can sometimes be considered as being rude in other cultures. But once you see beyond appearances and you really get to know Parisian people, they are kind, supportive, and loyal.

3. Parisians Start Their Workday At 10:30

There is a moment in the show where Emily shows up early at her office and finds it locked. The reality is different. Parisians usually start their workday between 9 to 9:30 (some people have 1 to 2 hours to commute), have a 1-hour lunch break, and usually finish their day around 7-8 pm.

Some of them bring work at home and continue to work during their weekends and evenings. Yes, the French have plenty of public holidays and vacation time, but French workers regularly top league tables for productivity.

4. Parisians Have Extensive Lunch Breaks

Parisians usually have a 1-hour lunch break. They usually have lunch with their colleagues at the company’s restaurant or at a nice brasserie.

5. Parisians Smoke Everywhere

The truth is Parisians smoke a lot, but it is not representative of French people in general.

6. Wearing Couture And Stilettos In Paris

Paris is a city where locals walk everywhere and move regularly using stairs, bikes, and public transportation. Parisian women are seeking stylish, cool but always comfortable shoes. And hardly any Parisian girl decides to choose high heels for the whole day. In Paris, it’s far more common to see Parisian girls wearing flat shoes such as ballet flats, slippers, loafers, and sneakers.

Parisian style it’s all about finding the right balance between looking dressed up and laid-back at the same time. It’s not being obsessed about wearing bold shades, extravagant items, bright colors, and expensive pieces.

You can read more regarding this article in “My French Country Home” magazine !